$20 million in aid for California farmers

February 4, 2014

Federal officials announced $20 million in aid for California farmers and ranchers affected by the intense drought.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the United States Department of Agriculture will make $20 million available for agricultural water conservation efforts throughout California to combat the effects of drought. Funds are available statewide to install a number of conservation practices including irrigation efficiency, cover crops, rehabilitation of existing spring developments, protection of grazing lands, and other supporting components.

“Working with our federal, state, and local partners, we are doing everything within our power to support those farmers and ranchers affected by this intense drought.” said Vilsack. “These funds will help get a suite of scientifically proven conservation techniques on the ground and helping producers. USDA has a long, successful history of helping farmers and ranchers plan for and employ conservation practices that conserve and protect and maximize every available drop of water.”

Interested landowners and managers have until March 3, 2014 to apply for available funds. For additional information, eligible landowners are encouraged to contact their local NRCS Service Center. Service center locations and more information on the drought initiative can be found at www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov.

I Like Ike!
“Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things. Among them are H. L. Hunt (you possibly know his background), a few other Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or business man from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid.”

Go to the Environmental Working Group’s website, which lists all subsidy payments paid to all farmers and ranchers. You can search by county if you want to. Read the names of the recipients, and how much they have received. Then tell me which ones are wealthy.

Shouldn’t farmers and ranchers be doing those things on their own? Why should we pay them to take care of their own land, their own crops, their own livestock? Droughts happen in California. It’s part of the risk of doing those businesses here.